skip to content

Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

 
aim3-webbanner.jpg

We aim to give patients a voice in our research and engagement activities that is valued and utilised.

Why?

  • 60% of our research groups are investigating stem cell behaviour in a disease scenario, yet the majority of our researchers have never met a patient suffering from the condition they study.
  • Valuing a patient or carer’s lived experience, and using these insights in our research will ensure our key scientific goals are people-centred and responsive to the society they seek to serve while also helping us maximise our impact.

How?

  • By building relationships with both local and national patient organisations and charities and explore new ways to collaborate.
  • By developing and marketing targeted campaigns to engage patients and carers resident to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus to visit our bespoke public space and café.
  • By introducing a patient governance framework including specialised patient representation to review our science and engagement strategies.
  • By piloting a co-developed research programme between a patient group and one of our clinically focused research teams.

Outcomes

  • Deepen and sustain relationships between patients and researchers
  • Increased mutual respect, leading to a change in established hierarchies
  • Valuing and utilising patients' lived experience 
  • Design and deliver stem cell research in a more people-centred way

 

Highlights

Projects include A Pattern for Progress and What a Nerve!

  Unknown Unknowns

Parkinson's UK Branch Meeting update, 2020

In collaboration with PUK West Herts Branch

Unknown Unknowns, 2020

In collaboration with Blood Cancer UK and Kettle's Yard

MS updates Pattern for Progress

MS Society Stem Cell Research News, 2020

In collaboration with MS Society Cambridge and District branch

A Pattern for Progress, 2019

In collaboration with the MS Society and Kettle's Yard

CRUK tour What a nerve

Laboratory tour, 2019

In collaboration with CRUK

What a Nerve!, 2019

Featuring Rebuilding Connections, as part of Cambridge Science Festival

RareFest 2018

 

RareFest, 2018